Wigs or no wigs?

Chemotherapy is a very painful process for cancer patients. The psychological aspect can be especially disparaging. As they loose hair, patients feel less confident. However, wearing cancer wigs can help them feel good about themselves again. There is a large range of wigs out there, with the monofilament wigs being the most popular for this application. But are wigs for everyone? Some people donate their hair before starting the chemotherapy and have it made into a wig for themselves. This is a good idea, but usually additional hair has to be added in order to give the wig a proper thickness. This process can also be a bit pricey and not a lot of people can afford it. Friends can sometimes be convinced to donate their hair as well, so the cost of their custom cancer wigs can be lowered slightly. Traditionally people wear wigs after significant hair loss resulting from chemotherapy; that is why we call them cancer wigs. But this solution is not always suitable for everyone. Although monofilament wigs can look extremely natural, if someone does not feel comfortable wearing them, alternative solutions must be found. Some people have physical limitations in wearing their cancer wigs. Wearing them on a bald head can make them hot and itchy. People in this situation can buy bandanas and wear them instead. Many of them can find they look really good wearing bandanas or trendy hats. There are even cases where younger cancer patients started the shave-my-head-and-wear-a-bandana trend. However, if you are a person that is really into your hair, you should definitely try some wigs out. There are some really nice monofilament wigs out there, and sometimes you can't even tell the hair is “fake”. These days, even famous people like Beyonce or Tyra Banks wear these type of wigs. If at first you are not confident about wearing a wig, you can try pairing it with a nice scarf or a trendy hat. Monofilament wigs made of natural human hair are perfect if you desire the most styling flexibility. Sure you could style it yourself, but it would be better to have a stylist do it. Cancer wigs that are made of synthetic hair can only be styled by sprays and not heat. You can wash them and shake them out for more volume, but you should never use flat irons or other hair appliances for styling them. The downside of a synthetic wig is that you have to buy it in the exact style you want, as there is not much even a stylist can do. Unless your wig is perfect out of box, it is usually a good idea to consult a local hair dresser who can style and cut the wig if necessary. There are even hairdressers who specialize in wig styling for a fairly inexpensive price. There may be one final concern with cancer wig use, especially synthetic ones. When people wear hats, the body temperature rises by trapping heat release from the head. Considering that wigs are synthetic and have liners, people may wonder if wearing a wig can further exacerbate this condition? Well, if the right wig with a breathable cap is chosen, this shouldn’t be an issue.